Polymers and hard, gas-permeable contact lenses made therefrom

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to novel polymers, to processes for the preparation thereof, to contact lenses consisting substantially of those polymers and to processes for the manufacture thereof and to the use of the novel polymers for the manufacture of contact lenses. The polymers according to the invention are especially the copolymerisation products of monomer mixtures comprising the following monomers: 
     a) 20-60% siloxane monovinyl component 
     b) 1-25% siloxane oligovinyl component 
     c) 10-55% fluorine-containing vinyl component 
     d) 3-30% hydrophobic vinyl component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical, 
     e) 0-10% hydrophilic vinyl component 
     f) 0-15% additional cross-linking vinyl component. 
     The novel polymers and the contact lenses made therefrom are distinguished by a high degree of hardness while at the same time being highly permeable to oxygen.

The present invention relates to novel polymers, to processes for the preparation thereof, to contact lenses consisting substantially of those polymers and to processes for the manufacture thereof and to the use of the novel polymers for the manufacture of contact lenses. The novel polymers and the contact lenses made therefrom are distinguished by a high degree of hardness while at the same time being highly permeable to oxygen. These advantageous material properties are obtained by using for the preparation of the polymers a hydrophobic monomer component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical together with a siloxane monovinyl component, a siloxane oligovinyl component, a fluorine-containing vinyl component and, if desired, a hydrophilic vinyl component and/or an additional cross-linking vinyl component.

It has already been proposed to manufacture contact lenses from polymers that comprise a siloxane monovinyl component, polysiloxane dimethacrylates, fluoroalkyl methacrylates and hydrophilic vinyl monomers, for example in EP-A-277 771 or WO 88/05060. It has also already been proposed to use polymers based on siloxane monovinyl components, fluoroalkyl methacrylates, hydrophobic alkyl or cycloalkyl methacrylates and hydrophilic vinyl monomers for the manufacture of contact lenses, for example in EP 294 515 or U.S. Pat. No. 4,540,761 and 4,433,125.

Where the hydrophobic vinyl monomer used therein is not the almost classic methyl methacrylate, those specifications mention, for example, monomers such as tert-butyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate or cyclohexyl methacrylate.

It has clearly not been recognised hitherto that the use of specific hydrophobic monomer components having a bulky hydrocarbon radical, as defined below, is especially advantageous. This is especially the case when the monomers having a bulky hydrocarbon radical are copolymerised in combination with one or more representatives of the siloxane monovinyl component, siloxane oligovinyl component and fluorine-containing vinyl component categories. Specific material properties can be additionally favourably influenced when a hydrophilic vinyl component and/or an additional cross-linking component are/is added to the mixture to be polymerised.

A significant feature of the present invention is that the hydrophobic component having the bulky hydrocarbon radical together with the three other obligatory components gives rise to a synergistic effect not observed hitherto, which imparts to the polymers obtainable in accordance with the invention both a high degree of hardness and high permeability to oxygen.

For example, a 1:1 copolymer consisting of a typical component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical and methyl methacrylate (MMA) has an oxygen permeability (Dk value) of 11 and a ball indentation hardness (BIH) of 177. If MMA is replaced by a typical fluorine-containing component, the Dk value is virtually unaltered, but the ball indentation hardness is reduced. Reference is made in this connection to Comparison Examples 1 to 3.

The known positive effect of siloxane groups and fluorine-containing groups on the properties of contact lenses is limited to an increase in the Dk values and does not have a beneficial effect on the hardness.

In contrast, the polymers according to the invention exhibit ball indentation hardness values which allow mechanical processing in the required manner, and at the same time they have high Dk values. In comparison with polymers that contain methyl methacrylate instead of the hydrophobic vinyl component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical but are otherwise of the same composition, the Dk value increases superproportionally while the hardness remains the same. Reference is made in this connection to Examples 1 to 3 (polymers according to the invention) and Comparison Examples 4 to 7 in which MMA is used. For example, the pair Example 1/Comparison Example 4 have comparable hardness (74 and 78, respectively) but the Dk value of the MMA copolymer is 34 whereas that of the copolymer according to the invention is 57. The same is true of the pairs Example 2/Comparison Example 5 and Example 3/Comparison Example 6.

The invention therefore relates to polymers that are copolymerisation products of monomer mixtures comprising the following monomers:

a) a siloxane monovinyl component,

b) a siloxane oligovinyl component,

c) a fluorine-containing vinyl component,

d) a hydrophobic vinyl component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical, and, in addition, possibly but not necessarily,

e) a hydrophilic vinyl component and

f) an additional cross-linking component.

The term "vinyl" in the context of this invention does not denote exclusively the grouping "--CH═CH₂ ". Instead, the term includes olefinically unsaturated copolymerisable groups, such as those typically occurring in monomers that are used for contact lenses. "Vinyl" therefore includes the corresponding radicals of acrylic and methacrylic acid derivatives, and also those of derivatives of crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and itaconic acid, but this list is not exhaustive.

The invention relates especially to polymers that are copolymerisation products of monomer mixtures comprising the following monomers:

a) a siloxane monovinyl component of formula I ##STR1## wherein Q¹ is a radical of the partial formula ##STR2## Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, R¹ and R² are each independently of the other lower alkylene, cycloalkylene, arylene or a combination of lower alkylene with cycloalkylene or lower alkylene with arylene, R³ is lower alkylene or cycloalkylene, A and A' are each independently of the other X¹ --CO--X²,X² in each case being bonded to R², and X² is --NH-- or a bond and X¹ is --O--, or --NR-- wherein R is lower alkyl, wherein the radicals Z¹ are each independently of the other OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein the radicals R⁴ are each independently of the others lower alkyl, phenyl or OSi(lower alkyl)₃, Z² is lower alkyl, phenyl or Z¹, and n is 0 or 1,

b) a siloxane oligovinyl component of formula II ##STR3## wherein Q² has the same meaning as Q¹ or is Ac--O, wherein Q¹, Ac and Z² are as defined above, Z³ is Z² or has the same meaning as Q² and m is 0 to 4,

c) a fluorine-containing vinyl component of formula IIIa

    Ac--O--R.sup.5 --R.sup.6

wherein Ac is as defined above, R⁵ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene or cycloalkylene, R⁶ is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms or wherein R⁵ -R⁶ together are hexafluoroisopropyl or nonafluoro-tert-butyl, or of formula IIIb

    Ac--O--R.sup.5 --R.sup.7 --R.sup.5 --O--Ac

wherein Ac and R⁵ are as defined above and R⁷ is fluorinated C₁ -C₁₀ alkylene, or of formula IIIc

    Ac--O--R.sup.8 --C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 --R.sup.8 --O--Ac

wherein Ac is as defined above and R⁸ is phenylene that is unsubstituted or substituted by lower alkyl, fluorine or by fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms, or of formula IIId

    R.sup.9 --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --CH(OAc)--CH.sub.2 --OAc

wherein Ac is as defined above, R⁹ is perfluorinated C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl and p is 0, 1 or 2, or of formula IIIe ##STR4## wherein R¹⁰ is C₂ -C₆ alkenyl having the double bond in conjugation to the phenyl ring, the radicals R¹¹ are each independently of the others hydrogen or fluorine, R¹² is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms and R¹³ is hydrogen or fluorine or has the same meaning as R¹², and

d) a hydrophobic vinyl component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical of formula IVa

    Ac--O--R.sup.14

wherein Ac is as defined above and R¹⁴ is lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, lower alkylsubstituted cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or oligo-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or oligo-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, or C₅ -C₁₀ alkyl that contains at least one tert-butyl group and is unsubstituted or substituted by cycloalkyl, or of formula IVb ##STR5## wherein R¹⁵ is C₂ -C₆ alkenyl having the double bond in conjugation to the phenyl ring and R¹⁶ is hydrogen or has the same meaning as R¹⁴, but at least one radical R¹⁶ is other than hydrogen.

Other components which may be present if desired are defined below.

Hereinabove and hereinbelow the term "lower" in connection with substituents or radicals, for example lower alkyl, denotes a group having up to 7 carbon atoms, preferably up to 4 carbon atoms.

The acyl radical "Ac" of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms preferably has 3 or 4 carbon atoms and is, for example, acryloyl, methacryloyl, crotonoyl, or the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated dicarboxylic acid, such as maleic acid, fumaric acid or itaconic acid, and in the acyl radicals of dicarboxylic acids the second carboxylic acid group is either free or, preferably, is esterified by a lower alkanol. Preferred acyl radicals "Ac" are acryloyl and methacryloyl, especially methacryloyl.

Lower alkylene R¹ and R² has up to 7 carbon atoms, preferably up to 4 carbon atoms, and is, for example, methylene, ethylene, 1,3-propylene, 1,2-propylene, 1,4-butylene or 1,6-hexylene.

Cycloalkylene R¹ and R² has from 5 to 7 ring carbon atoms, is unsubstituted or substituted by carboxy or by lower alkyl and is, for example, cyclopentylene, carboxycyclopentylene, cyclohexylene, cycloheptylene, methylcyclohexylene, dimethylcyclohexylene or trimethylcyclohexylene.

Arylene R¹ and R² has, for example, 6 or 12 ring carbon atoms, such as phenylene, biphenylene or naphthylene, is unsubstituted or substituted by lower alkyl, halogen or by lower alkoxy and is, for example, phenylene, methylphenylene or tert-butylphenylene, biphenylene, dimethoxybiphenylene, dimethylbiphenylene, naphthylene or methylnaphthylene.

Halogen is especially bromine or chlorine, but may also be fluorine or iodine.

Lower alkoxy has especially up to 7 carbon atoms and is, for example, methoxy, ethoxy or propoxy.

When R¹ and R² are a combination of lower alkylene with cycloalkylene or with arylene, those radicals are, for example, lower alkylene-cycloalkylene, lower alkylene-cycloalkylene-lower alkylene cycloalkylene-lower alkylene-cycloalkylene, lower alkylene-arylene or lower alkylene-arylene-lower alkylene. Examples thereof are methylene-cyclohexylene or cyclohexylene-methylene which are unsubstituted or substituted by from 1 to 3 lower alkyl groups, for example trimethyl-cyclohexylenemethylene, methylene-cyclohexylene-methylene, phenylene-methylene, phenyleneethylene, methylene-phenylene-methylene or butylene-phenylene-butylene.

Lower alkylene and cycloalkylene R³ are as defined above for R¹ and R².

R¹ and R³ are preferably lower alkylene, especially lower alkylene having 2 or 3 carbon atoms.

R² is preferably arylene, cycloalkylene or a combination of one of those two radicals with lower alkylene, as defined above.

The partial structure --CO--X² --R² --X² --CO-- is preferably the divalent radical of a diisocyanate (X² =NH) or of a diester (X² is a bond). X² is preferably --NH--. Suitable isocyanates that yield the partial structure --CO--X² --R² --X² --CO-- wherein X² is --NH-- are, for example, ethylene diisocyanate, 1,2-diisocyanatopropane, 1,3-diisocyanatopropane, 1,6-diisocyanatohexane, 1,2-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,3-diisocyanatocyclohexane, 1,4-diisocyanatocyclohexane, o-diisocyanatobenzene, m-diisocyanatobenzene, p-diisocyanatobenzene, bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexyl)methane, bis(4-isocyanatocyclohexenyl)methane, bis(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane, toluylene-diisocyanate, 3,3-dichloro-4,4'-diisocyanatobiphenyl, tris(4-isocyanatophenyl)methane, hydrogenated toluylene-diisocyanate, 1-isocyanatomethyl-5-isocyanato-1,3,3-trimethylcyclohexane (=isophorone diisocyanate), 1,3,5-tris(6-isocyanatohexyl)biuret, 1,6-diisocyanato-(2,2,4)-trimethylhexane, 2,2'-diisocyanatodiethyl fumarate, 1,5-diisocyanato-1-carboxypentane, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,5-, 1,6-, 1,7-, 1,8-, 2,7- and 2,3-diisocyanatonaphthalene, 2,4- and 2,7-diisocyanato-1-methylnaphthalene, 1,4-diisocyanato-methylcyclohexane, 1,3-diisocyanato-6(7)-methylnaphthalene, 4,4'-diisocyanatobiphenyl, 4,4'-diisocyanato-3,3'-dimethoxybiphenyl, 3,3'-and 4,4'-diisocyanato-2,2'-dimethylbiphenyl, bis(4-isocyanatophenyl)ethane and bis-(4-isocyanatophenyl) ether. Preferred diisocyanates are tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate.

Lower alkyl R⁴ or within the definition OSi(lower alkyl)₃ of R⁴ or lower alkyl Z² is, for example, methyl, ethyl, propyl or butyl, preferably methyl.

Z¹ is preferably trimethylsilyloxy or tris(trimethylsilyloxy)silyloxy. Z² preferably has the same meaning as Z¹. The index n is preferably 0. Q² is preferably Q¹ wherein n is 0. The index m is especially 0.

R⁵ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene or cycloalkylene having 5,6 or 7 ring members, for example methylene, ethylene, propylene or cyclohexylene, preferably methylene.

Fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms R⁶ is, for example, trifluoromethyl, heptafluoropropyl, nonafluoro-tert-butyl, ω-H-tetrafluoroethyl or ω-H-octafluorobutyl.

Fluorinated C₁ -C₁₀ alkylene R⁷ is perfluorinated or partially fluorinated and is, for example, linear perfluoroalkylene having 2,3, 4 or 6 carbon atoms, perfluorinated 1,2-propylene, 2,2-propylene, 1,3-butylene, 1,2-butylene or 2,2,2-trifluoro-1,1-ethylene or 3,3,3-trifluoro-1,2-propylene.

Phenylene R⁸ is preferably unsubstituted phenylene or phenylene that is substituted by one or two radicals of the fluorine or trifluoromethyl category.

The index p is especially 1.

Perfluorinated C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl R⁹ is, for example, perfluorinated lower alkyl, such as defined above for R⁶, and is especially perfluorobutyl, perfluoropentyl, perfluorohexyl or perfluoroheptyl, especially perfluorohexyl.

R¹⁰ as C₂ -C₆ alkenyl having a double bond in conjugation to the phenyl ring of formula IIIe is, for example, vinyl (--CH═CH₂), 1-methylvinyl or 2-methylvinyl, preferably vinyl. The same definition applies to R¹⁵ in formula IVb.

R¹² has especially the meanings given above for R⁶.

Lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl R¹⁴ is, for example, correspondingly substituted C₅ -C₇ cycloalkyl, such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl or cycloheptyl, which is substituted by from one to five lower alkyl groups. Preferred substituents are C₁ -C₄ alkyl groups, especially methyl. Cycloalkyl R¹⁴ is preferably at least monosubstituted, preferably polysubstituted, in the 3-position by lower alkyl. Cyclohexyl di- to tetra-substituted by lower alkyl, for example methyl, for example 3,5-dimethylcyclohexyl, 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl or 3,3,5,5-tetramethylcyclohexyl, is especially suitable.

Lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl-lower alkyl R¹⁴ denotes a radical as defined above that is bonded via lower alkyl, especially methyl, that is to say, for example, trimethylcyclohexylmethyl, such as 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexylmethyl.

Unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or oligo-cycloalkyl R¹⁴ is to be understood as being an unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di-, tri- or tetra-cyclic hydrocarbon radical. Such a radical has preferably five or six ring members per ring. The sum of the ring members preferably totals from seven to twelve carbon atoms. Preferred radicals R¹⁴ are, for example, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, tricyclo[5.2.1.0².6 ]decyl, adamantyl, bornyl and isobornyl.

Unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or oligo-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl R¹⁴ is a radical as described in the preceding paragraph that is bonded via lower alkyl, especially via methyl, that is to say, for example, tricyclo[5.2.1.0².6 ]decylmethyl or adamantylmethyl.

C₅ -C₁₀ alkyl that contains at least one tert-butyl group and is unsubstituted or substituted by cycloalkyl is especially tert-butyl-C₁ -C₆ alkyl, such as tert-butylmethyl, 2-tert-butylethyl or 2-tert-butyl-2-cyclohexylethyl.

Preferred siloxane monovinyl components a) in the compositions according to the invention are compounds of formula I wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having three or four carbon atoms, R¹ is lower alkylene, n is 0, Z² has the same meaning as Z¹ and the radicals Z¹ are each independently of the other OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein the radicals R⁴ are each independently of the others lower alkyl or OSi(lower alkyl)₃.

Also preferred as siloxane monovinyl components a) are compounds of formula I wherein n is 1 and the other variables mentioned in the above paragraph are as defined therein, X¹ is O and X² is NH, R² is unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted phenylene, or lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkylene-lower alkylene, and R³ is lower alkylene.

Especially preferred are compounds of formula I wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R¹ is C₂ -C₄ alkylene, n is 0, Z² has the same meaning as Z¹ and Z¹ is OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein R⁴ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl or OSi(C₁ -C₄ alkyl)₃. Individual compounds that should be given special mention are, for example, tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl methacrylate and tris(tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl methacrylate.

Special preference is given also to compounds of formula I wherein n is 1 and the other variables mentioned in the above paragraph are as defined therein, X¹ is O and X² is NH, R² is phenylene, C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted phenylene or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted cyclohexylene-C₁ -C₄ alkylene and R³ is C₂ -C₄ alkylene. Such compounds that should be given special mention are those in which R² is the bivalent hydrocarbon radical of tolylene-diisocyanate or isophorone diisocyanate.

Preferred siloxane oligovinyl components b) in the compositions according to the invention are compounds of formula II wherein Q² is Q¹, wherein n is 0, and wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, R¹ is lower alkylene, m is 0 and the radicals Z² are each independently of the others lower alkyl or OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein R⁴ is lower alkyl.

Special preference is given to compounds of formula II wherein Q² is Q¹, wherein n is 0, and wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R¹ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene and Z² is C₁ -C₄ alkyl or OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein R⁴ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl. Individual compounds that should be given special mention are, for example, 3,5-bis(3-methacroyloxypropyl)-3,5-bis(trimethylsiloxy)-1,1,1,7,7,7-hexamethyltetrasiloxane and 1,3-dimethacryloxypropyltetramethyldisiloxane.

In the case of the fluorine-containing vinyl components c) it is especially preferred that Ac is other than the acyl radical of itaconic acid.

Preferred fluorine-containing vinyl components c) in the compositions according to the invention are compounds of formula IIIa, b, c, d or e wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, R⁵ is C₁ -C₃ alkylene and R⁶ is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms, or R⁵ -R⁶ together are hexafluoroisopropyl or nonafluoro-tert-butyl, R⁷ is fluorinated lower alkylene, R⁸ is phenylene, p is 1, R⁹ is perfluorinated C₄ -C₈ alkyl, R¹⁰ is C₂ -C₃ alkenyl, R¹¹ and R¹³ are hydrogen and R¹² is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms.

Special preference is given to compounds of formula IIIa wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R⁵ is C₁ -C₂ alkylene and R⁶ is fluorinated C₁ -C₄ alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms or R⁵ -R⁶ together are hexafluoroisopropyl. Individual compounds that should be given special mention are, for example, 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate, 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5,-octafluoropentyl methacrylate and hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate.

Special preference is given also to compounds of formula IIIb wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R⁵ is C₁ -C₂ alkylene and R⁷ is fluorinated C₁ -C₄ alkylene, compounds of formula IIIc wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl and R⁸ is phenylene, compounds of formula IIId wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, p is 1 R⁹ is perfluorinated C₅ -C₇ alkyl and compounds of formula IIIe wherein R¹⁰ is vinyl or 1-methylvinyl, R¹¹ and R¹³ are hydrogen and R¹² is fluorinated C₁ -C₄ alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms. Individual compounds that should be given special mention are, for example, hexafluoro-bisphenol-A bismethacrylate and tridecafluorononanediol dimethacrylate (compound of formula IIId wherein R⁹ is tridecafluorohexyl).

Preferred hydrophobic vinyl components having a bulky hydrocarbon radical d) are compounds of formula IVa wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 or 4 carbon atoms and R¹⁴ is lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or tri-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted bicycloalkyl-lower alkyl or tricycloalkyl-lower alkyl, or tert-butyl-substituted C₁ -C₄ alkyl.

Special preference is given to compounds of formula IVa wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl and R¹⁴ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted cyclohexyl, unsubstituted or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted C₇ -C₁₂ bi- or C₇ -C₁₂ tri-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted C₇ -C₁₂ bi- or C₇ -C₁₂ tri-cycloalkyl-C₁ -C₄ alkyl, or tert-butyl-substituted C₁ -C₄ alkyl.

Preference is given especially to compounds of formula IVa wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl and R¹⁴ is cyclohexyl that is di- to tetra-substituted by C₁ -C₄ alkyl, especially methyl, bicyclo[x.y.z]heptyl or bicyclo[x.y.z.]octyl each of which is unsubstituted or di- to tetra-substituted by C₁ -C₄ alkyl, wherein x, y and z are in each case 0 or a natural number, the sum of x, y and z being 5 in the case of the heptyl compounds and 6 in the case of the octyl compounds, tricyclo[w.x.y.z]decyl or tricyclo[w.x.y.z]-decyl-C₁ -C₄ alkyl wherein w, x, y and z are in each case 0 or a natural number, the sum of w, x, y and z being 8, or C₁ -C₄ alkyl monosubstituted by tert-butyl. Very special preference is given to compounds of formula IVa wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl and R¹⁴ is trimethylcyclohexyl, bicyclo[2.2.1]heptyl, bicyclo[2.2.2]octyl, bornyl, isobornyl, tricyclo[5.2.1.0².6 ]decyl, adamantyl, tricyclo[5.2.1.0².6 ]decylmethyl, adamantylmethyl, tert-butyl-methyl (2,2-dimethylpropyl) or 2-tert-butylethyl (3,3-dimethylpropyl). Individual compounds that should be given special mention are 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl methacrylate, isobornyl methacrylate, neopentyl methacrylate and tricyclo[5.2.1.0]decyl methacrylate.

Hydrophobic vinyl components having a bulky hydrocarbon radical d) that are likewise preferred are compounds of formula IVb wherein R¹⁵ is C₂ -C₃ alkenyl and R¹⁶ is hydrogen or lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or tricycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted bicycloalkyl-lower alkyl or tricycloalkyl-lower alkyl, or tert-butyl-substituted C₁ -C₄ alkyl, but at least one radical R¹⁶ is other than hydrogen. Of those compounds of formula IVb, special preference is given to those compounds wherein one radical R¹⁶ is hydrogen and the other radical R¹⁶ is other than hydrogen.

Preference is given especially to compounds of formula IVb wherein R¹⁵ is vinyl or 1-methylvinyl, one radical R¹⁶ is hydrogen and the other radical R¹⁶ is cyclohexyl that is di- to tetra-substituted by C₁ -C₄ alkyl, especially methyl, bicyclo[x.y.z]heptyl or bicyclo[x.y.z]octyl each of which is unsubstituted or di- to tetra-substituted by C₁ -C₄ alkyl, wherein x, y and z are in each case 0 or a natural number, the sum of x, y and z being 5 in the case of the heptyl compounds and 6 in the case of the octyl compounds, tricyclo[w.x.y.z]decyl or tricyclo[w.x.y.z]decyl-C₁ -C₄ alkyl wherein w, x, y and z are in each case 0 or a natural number, the sum of w, x, y and z being 8, or C₁ -C₄ alkyl monosubstituted by tert-butyl.

As has already been mentioned, the polymers according to the invention may additionally comprise a hydrophilic vinyl component and/or an additional cross-linking component.

Suitable hydrophilic vinyl components e) are compounds of the formula ##STR6## wherein R¹⁷ is hydrogen or methyl and R¹⁸ is a hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms that is mono- or poly-substituted by a group imparting water-solubility, such as carboxy, hydroxy or tert-amino, for example tert-lower alkylamino having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms per lower alkyl group, a polyethylene oxide group having from 2 to 100 recurring units, preferably having from 2 to 40 recurring units, or a sulfate, phosphate, sulfonate or phosphonate group, for example a correspondingly substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl or phenyl radical or a combination of such radicals, such as phenylalkyl or alkylcycloalkyl, and also acrylamides and methacrylamides of the formula ##STR7## wherein R¹⁹ is hydrogen or C₁ -C₄ alkyl; acrylamides and methacrylamides of the formula ##STR8## wherein R²⁰ has the same meaning as R¹⁸ or R¹⁹ ; maleinates and fumarates of the formula

    R.sup.18 OOC--CH═CH--COOR.sup.18 ;

crotonates of the formula

    CH.sub.3 --CH═CH--COOR.sup.18 ;

vinyl ethers of the formula

    H.sub.2 C═CH--OR.sup.18 ;

vinyl-substituted five- or six-membered heterocycles having one or two nitrogen atoms, and also N-vinyllactams, such as N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, and vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acids having a total of from 3 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid or cinnamic acid.

Preferred are, for example, hydroxy-substituted C₂ -C₄ alkyl(meth)acrylates, five- to seven-membered N-vinyllactams, N,N-di-C₁ -C₄ alkyl(meth)acrylamides and vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acids having a total of from 3 to 5 carbon atoms.

Hydrophilic monomers e) that may be used include: 2-hydroxyethyl, 2- and 3-hydroxypropyl, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl, polyethoxyethyl and polyethoxypropyl acrylates and methacrylates and also the corresponding acrylamides and methacrylamides, acrylamide and methacrylamide, N-methyl-acrylamide and -methacrylamide, bisacetoneacrylamide, 2-hydroxyethylacrylamide, dimethyl-acrylamide and -methacrylamide and also methylol-acrylamide and -methacrylamide, N,N-dimethyl- and N,N-diethylaminoethyl acrylate and methacrylate and also the corresponding acrylamides and methacrylamides, N-tert-butylaminoethyl methacrylate and methacrylamide, 2- and 4-vinylpyridine, 4- and 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine, N-methyl-4-vinylpiperidine, 1-vinyl- and 2-methyl-1-vinyl-imidazole, dimethylallylamine and methyldiallylamine and also para-, meta- and ortho-aminostyrene, dimethylaminoethyl vinyl ether, N-vinylpyrrolidone and 2-pyrrolidinoethyl methacrylate, acrylic and methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, cinnamic acid, crotonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid and the hydroxy-lower alkyl mono- and di-esters thereof, such as 2-hydroxyethyl and di-(2-hydroxy)-ethyl fumarate, maleinate and itaconate, and also 3-hydroxypropylbutyl fumarate and di-polyalkoxyalkyl fumarates, maleinates and itaconates, maleic acid anhydride, sodium acrylate and methacrylate, 2-methacryloyloxyethylsulfonic acid, 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropanesulfonic acid, 2-phosphatoethyl methacrylate, vinylsulfonic acid, sodium vinyl sulfonate, p-styrenesulfonic acid, sodium p-styrenesulfonate and allylsulfonic acid, N-vinylpyrrolidone, N-vinylpyridone, N-vinylcaprolactam, and also the quaternised derivatives of cationic monomers, which are obtained by quaternisation with selected alkylating agents, for example halogenated hydrocarbons, such as methyl iodide, benzyl chloride or hexadecyl chloride, epoxides, such as glycidol, epichlorohydrin or ethylene oxide, acrylic acid, dimethyl sulfate, methyl sulfate and propanesultone.

Preferred monomers e) are 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N,N-di-methylacrylamide and also acrylic and methacrylic acid.

The additional cross-linking components f) are, for example, di-, tri- or tetra-olefinic, especially diolefinic, monomers, for example allyl acrylate and methacrylate, ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, tetraethylene glycol and generally polyethylene oxide glycol diacrylates and dimethacrylates, 1,4-butanediol and poly-n-butylene oxide glycol diacrylates and dimethacrylates, propylene glycol and polypropylene oxide glycol diacrylates and dimethacrylates, thiodiethylene glycol diacrylate and dimethacrylate, di-(2-hydroxyethyl)-sulfone diacrylate and dimethacrylate, neopentyl glycol diacrylate and dimethacrylate, trimethylolpropane tri- and tetra-acrylate, pentaerythritol tri- and tetra-acrylate, divinylbenzene, divinyl ether, divinylsulfone, disiloxanyl-bis-3-hydroxypropyl diacrylate or methacrylate and related compounds. Ethylene glycol dimethacrylate is preferred.

It is also possible to use as additional cross-linking components f) macromers of formula Va ##STR9## wherein R²¹ is a polysiloxane chain having a molecular weight of about 400 to about 8000 and has the formula ##STR10## R²² is hydrogen or methyl, R²³ is hydrogen or --COOR²⁴,

R²⁴ is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of the radicals R²² and R²³ is hydrogen,

W is --O--, --COO-- or --CONR²⁵ --,

R²⁵ is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms,

R²⁶ is branched or linear alkylene having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms or is (CH₂ CH₂ O)_(q) CH₂ CH₂ wherein q is a number from 1 to 20,

k is an integer from 3 to 120,

Y is a direct bond or the divalent radical --R²⁷ --X³ --CONH--R²⁸ --NHCO--X⁴ --,

R²⁷ is linear or branched alkylene having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms that is bonded to W and is unsubstituted or substituted by di-lower alkylamino or by hydroxy,

R²⁸ is a divalent radical that is obtained by removal of the NCO groups from an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic diisocyanate,

X³ is --O-- or --NR²⁵ --,

X⁴ has the same meaning as X³ or is --S-- and is bonded to R²⁶, with the proviso that when

W is --O--, Y is other than a direct bond, and R²² and R²³ are hydrogen, or macromers of formula Vb ##STR11## wherein R²⁸ and R²⁹ are each independently of the other hydrogen or methyl, V is the divalent radical --R³⁰ --R³¹ --NHCO--X⁴ -- which is bonded to R²¹ via X⁴ and wherein R³⁰ is phenylene or lower alkyl-substituted phenylene, R³¹ is a bond or lower alkylene, and wherein R²¹ and X⁴ are as defined above.

The invention also relates to the use of macromers that are mixed types of compounds of formulae Va and Vb, that is to say compounds in which a polysiloxane chain R²¹ carries a radical R²³ CH═C(R²²)--W--Y-- at one end and a radical R²⁸ CH═C(R²⁹)--V-- at the other end.

In accordance with the definitions of R²² and R²³, when W is --COO-- or CONR²⁵ --, the terminal radicals of compounds of formula Va are the acyl radicals of acrylic or methacrylic acid or the monoacyl radicals of maleic or fumaric acid or of monoalkyl esters of those acids with straight-chain or branched alkanols having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, such as methanol, ethanol, butanol, isobutyl alcohol or decanol, or, when W is oxygen (oxa), the vinyloxy radical of vinyl ethers.

Compounds of formula Va wherein Y is a direct bond are diesters of macromolecular diols in which hydroxy groups are bonded to the polycondensate chain R²¹, with α,β-unsaturated acids. Such esters can be prepared from the macromolecular diol in accordance with generally known acylation methods using reactive functional derivatives of suitable acids, for example chlorides of acrylic or methacrylic acid, or monoalkyl esters of maleic or fumaric acid; or using maleic acid anhydride.

In accordance with the definition of formula Va, Y can also be a divalent radical --R²⁷ --X³ --CONH--R²⁸ --NHCO--X⁴ --, wherein R²⁷ is, for example, methylene, propylene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, neopentylene (2,2-dimethyltrimethylene), 2-hydroxytrimethylene or 1-(dimethylaminomethyl)-ethylene and especially ethylene. The divalent radical R²⁸ is derived from an organic diisocyanate and is an aliphatic radical, such as alkylene, for example ethylene, tetramethylene, hexamethylene, 2,2,4-trimethylhexamethylene, 2,4,4-trimethylhexamethylene; fumaroyldiethylene or 1-carboxypentamethylene; a cycloaliphatic radical, for example, 1,4-cyclohexylene or 2-methyl-1,4-cyclohexylene; and an aromatic radical, such as m-phenylene, p-phenylene, 2-methyl-m-phenylene; 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,5-, 1,6-, 1,7-, 1,8-, 2,3- and 2,7-naphthylene, 4-chloro-1,2- and 4-chloro-1,8-naphthylene, 1-methyl-2,4-, 1-methyl-2,7-, 4-methyl-1,2-, 6-methyl-1,3- and 7-methyl-1,3-naphthylene, 1,8-dinitro-2,7-naphthylene, 4,4'-biphenylene, 3,3'-dichloro-4,4'-biphenylene, 3,3' -dimethoxy-4,4'-biphenylene, 2,2'-dichloro-5,5'-dimethoxy-4,4'-biphenylene, methylene-di-p-phenylene, methylene bis(3-chlorophenylene), ethylene di-p-phenylene or oxy-di-p-phenylene. If Y in the formula Va is not in the form of a direct bond, then R²⁷ is always bonded to W.

R²¹ is derived especially from macromeric diols, diamines or dithiols having a molecular weight (MW) of from 200 to 8000. Further details, especially the preparation of the compounds of formula Va, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,250.

The preferred siloxane macromers of formula Va have a molecular weight in the range from about 600 to about 8500 and include a polysiloxanediol having a molecular weight of from about 400 to about 8000 that has first been terminated by isophorone diisocyanate or tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate and has then been reacted with a hydroxy compound selected from the hydroxyalkyl esters, in which alkyl has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and fumaric acid, and the hydroxyalkylvinyl ethers in which alkyl has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms.

The hydroxy compound is preferably 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl acrylate, 3-hydroxypropyl methacrylate, 2,3-dihydroxypropyl acrylate or 2,3-dihydroxypropyl methacrylate. The most preferred hydroxy compound is 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate. Preferred diisocyanates are tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate and isophorone diisocyanate.

The definitions and preferred meanings indicated for compounds of formula Va also apply to compounds of formula Vb insofar as they are appropriate, that is to say, for example, for R²¹. Preferably, in the compounds of formula Vb R²⁸ is hydrogen, R²⁹ is methyl, R³⁰ is phenylene or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted phenylene, R³¹ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene and X⁴ is oxygen.

The preferred siloxane macromers of formula Vb have a molecular weight in the range of about 600 to about 8500 and include a polysiloxanediol having a molecular weight of from about 400 to about 8000 that has been terminated by a monoisocyanate of the formula R²⁸ CH═C(R²⁹)--R³⁰ --R³¹ --NCO, wherein R²⁸ is hydrogen, R²⁹ is methyl, R³⁰ is phenylene or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-phenylene and R³¹ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene, especially, for example, 2,2-propylene.

The mixtures according to the invention to be polymerised are preferably free of silanol-functionalised (meth)acrylates.

The proportions of the components in the mixture to be polymerised or in the polymer are as follows (in % by weight):

a) 20-60% siloxane monovinyl component

b) 1-25% siloxane oligovinyl component

c) 10-55% fluorine-containing vinyl component

d) 3-30% hydrophobic vinyl component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical

e) 0-10% hydrophilic vinyl component

f) 0-15% additional cross-linking vinyl component

Preferred proportions of components a) to f) are:

a) 30-45%

b) 2-15%

c) 15-50%

d) 3-30%

e) if present, 5-10%

f) if present, 5-10%.

Especially preferred proportions of components a) to f) are:

a) 40-45%

b) 5-10%

c) 29-40%

d) 3-15%

e) if present, 5-10%

f) if present, 5-10%.

Proportions of components e) and/or f) of 8-10% each are especially preferred.

The following proportions of components a) to f) are most especially preferred:

a) 35-40%

b) 5-10%

c) 29-35%

d) 3-10%

e) 8-10%

f) 8-10%.

In cases where there are 5% or more of component f), that component is preferably a compound of formula V.

The vinyl components to be used according to the invention are known and are in some cases commercially available or they can be prepared in a manner known per se. The preparation of the macromers of formula V is described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,136,250.

The polymers according to the invention are produced, for example, by photopolymerisation, thermal polymerisation or by radical copolymerisation, either in the dry state or in the presence of small amounts of solvent. The polymerisation is advantageously carried out at elevated temperature, preferably in the presence of an initiator that forms free radicals, for example at a temperature in the range from approximately 30° C. to approximately 105° C. These initiators are preferably peroxides or azo catalysts having a half-value period of at least 20 minutes at the polymerisation temperature. Typical examples of peroxy compounds that can be used are isopropyl percarbonate, tert-butyl peroctoate, benzoyl peroxide, lauroyl peroxide, decanoyl peroxide, acetyl peroxide, succinic acid peroxide, methyl ethyl ketone peroxide, tert-butyl peroxyacetate, propionyl peroxide, 2,4-dichlorobenzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroxypivalate, pelargonyl peroxide, 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-bis(2-ethylhexanoylperoxy)hexane, p-chlorobenzoyl peroxide, tert-butyl peroxybutyrate, tert-butyl peroxymaleic acid, tert-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate and bis(1-hydroxycyclohexyl) peroxide.

Azo compounds include 2,2'-azo-bis-isobutyronitrile, 2,2'-azo-bis(2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile), 1,1'-azo-bis(cyclohexanecarbonitrile) and 2,2'-azo-bis(2,4-dimethyl-4-methoxyvaleronitrile).

Suitable initiators are also photoinitiators, benzoin ethers, Darocure types (Merck) or Irgacure types (CIBA-GEIGY).

It is also possible to use other mechanisms that form free radicals, such as irradiation with, for example, X-rays, electron beams and UV radiation.

The amount of initiator can vary from 0.01 to 1.5% by weight, based on constituents a) to f), but is preferably from 0.01 to 0.5% by weight.

The monomers to be polymerised are advantageously purified before polymerisation, especially to remove the inhibitors with which they are stabilised. For example, they are washed with suitable dilute aqueous bases, such as alkali metal hydroxides, for example sodium hydroxide solution, and purified by distillation under mild temperature conditions. The polymerisation mixtures can be polymerised in a manner known per se, for example in cylindrical form, for example by subjecting them, in closed cylindrical molds (tubes), to a temperature program in which the temperature is increased in stages from 30° C. to about 100° C. The temperature stages can be, for example, from 5° to 10° C., with a dwell time of from 1 to 12 hours at each temperature. Two- or five-hour intervals are customary but the individual temperatures may also be maintained for up to 20 hours. Finally, tempering is usually carried out for from 1 to 15 hours at temperatures of from 80° to 130° C.

The contact lenses according to the invention can also be manufactured in a manner known per se. For that purpose, for example, the vinyl components are polymerised in cylindrical form, and after demoulding the resulting rods are divided into discs or buttons which can be subjected to further mechanical processing, especially by turning processes. Alternatively, the polymerisation can be carried out in lens molds, so that lens blanks are obtained directly in the form of polymers. In addition, contact lenses can be manufactured by polymerisation of the vinyl components in suitable molds directly ("full mold" process) or with only one finished surface ("semi mold" process).

The reaction is preferably carried out under an inert atmosphere when it is carried out in open molds. It is known that oxygen inhibits polymerisation and results in prolonged polymerisation times. When closed molds are used for forming the polymer, the molds consist of inert materials having low oxygen permeability and non-adhesive properties. Examples of suitable mold materials are polytetrafluoroethylene, such as Teflon®, silicone rubber, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester, such as Mylar®. It is also possible to use glass or metal molds if a suitable demolding agent is employed.

The following Examples illustrate the subject of the invention but do not limit the invention, for example to the scope of the Examples. Quantities given in percent are percentages by weight, unless expressly indicated to the contrary. Temperatures are given in degrees Celsius.

The abbreviations used have the following meanings:

A1: tris(trimethylsiloxy)silylpropyl methacrylate

A2: tris(tris(trimethylsiloxy)siloxy)silylpropyl methacrylate

B1: 3,5-bis(3-methacroyloxy-propyl)-3,5-bis(trimethylsiloxy)-1,1,1,7,7,7-hexamethyltetrasiloxane

B2: 1,3-dimethacryloxypropyl-tetramethyldisiloxane

C1: 2,2,2-trifluoroethyl methacrylate

C2: 2,2,3,3-tetrafluoropropyl methacrylate

C3: 2,2,3,3,4,4,5,5-octafluoropentyl methacrylate

C4: hexafluoroisopropyl methacrylate

C5: hexafluoro-bisphenol-A bismethacrylate

C6: tridecafluorononanediol dimethacrylate (compound of formula IIId wherein R⁹ is tridecafluorohexyl)

D1: 3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexyl methacrylate

D2: isobornyl methacrylate

D3: neopentyl methacrylate

D4: tricyclo[5.2.1.0]decyl methacrylate

E1: methacrylic acid

F1: reaction product of poly(dimethylsiloxane)-di(alkyleneol) with 2 equivalents of isophorone diisocyanate and then with 2 equivalents of hydroxyethyl methacrylate

F2: ethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

EXAMPLES General instructions for the preparation of the polymers

The monomers are mixed together in the given ratio (see Tables). Any polymerisation inhibitors present are removed beforehand by washing with an aqueous base. After the addition of 0.1% photoinitiator (benzoin ether, DAROCUR or IRGACUR), the mixture is stirred and then freed of oxygen using conventional techniques. The monomer mixture is irradiated in plastics molds for 0.5-6 hours with UV light, the wavelength of which is matched to the photoinitiator. The blanks are then tempered for 1-5 hours at 80°-130° C./1-500 Pa.

The oxygen permeability is determined according to FATT using 0.2 mm thick discs, and the ball indentation hardness is determined in accordance with DIN 53 456 at a load of 358N.

COMPARISON EXAMPLES 1-3

Oxygen permeability (Dk) and ball indentation hardness (BIH) of the tempered copolymers consisting of a 1:1 monomer mixture (substance content in %)

    ______________________________________                                          No.  Monomer                                                                                   ##STR12##        BIH (N/mm.sup.2)                             ______________________________________                                         1    D1 MMA*    11               177                                           2    D1 C2      12               155                                           3    D1 C3      13               107                                           ______________________________________                                          *MMA = methyl methacrylate                                               

COMPARISON EXAMPLES 4-7

    ______________________________________                                                Monomer content (%)                                                     No.      A1      B1          C1    MMA*                                        ______________________________________                                         4        30      10          30    30                                          5        40      10          30    20                                          6        40      10          40    10                                          7          44.7    11.1        33.5                                                                                 10.7                                      ______________________________________                                          *MMA = methyl methacrylate                                               

MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF COMPARISON EXAMPLES 4-7

    ______________________________________                                                    4   5           6     7                                             ______________________________________                                         Dk*          34    58          76  86                                          BIH*         74    62          57  52                                          ______________________________________                                          *Units as in Comparison Examples 1-3                                     

                  TABLE 1                                                          ______________________________________                                         (Examples 1-5)                                                                         Monomer content (%)                                                    Example   A1    B1        C1  D1       E1  F2                                  ______________________________________                                         1         30    10        30  30       --  --                                  2         40    10        30  20       --  --                                  3         40    10        40  10       --  --                                  4         45    10        30  15       --  --                                  5         40      12.5    25    12.5   5   5                                   ______________________________________                                    

MATERIAL PROPERTIES OF EXAMPLES 1-5

    ______________________________________                                         1              2     3         4    5                                          ______________________________________                                         Dk*     57         78    91      110  85                                       BIH*    78         63    55       54  65                                       ______________________________________                                          *Units as in Comparison Examples 1-3                                     

                                      TABLE 2                                      __________________________________________________________________________     (Examples 6-19)                                                                The category and amount (in %) of each vinyl component are given.              No.                                                                               Type a)                                                                             Type b)                                                                             Type c)   Type d)                                                                             Type e)                                                                             Type f)                                                                             Dk BIH                                   __________________________________________________________________________      6 A1 (43)                                                                             B1 (2)                                                                              C1 (10) + C6 (30)                                                                        D1 (15)                                                                             --   --   114                                                                               56                                     7 A1 (35)                                                                             B1 (10)                                                                             C1 (10) + C6 (30)                                                                        D1 (15)                                                                             --   --   110                                                                               61                                     8 A2 (45)                                                                             B1 (10)                                                                             C1 (15)   D1 (30)                                                                             --   --    70                                                                               65                                     9 A1 (45)                                                                             B2 (10)                                                                             C1 (30)   D1 (15)                                                                             --   --   110                                                                               60                                    10 A1 (43)                                                                             B2 (2)                                                                              C1 (30) + C5 (5)                                                                         D1 (10)                                                                             E1 (10)                                                                             --    70                                                                               80                                    11 A1 (45)                                                                             B1 (10)                                                                             C1 (30)   D2 (15)                                                                             --   --    91                                                                               61                                    12 A1 (45)                                                                             B1 (10)                                                                             C1 (30)   D3 (15)                                                                             --   --   117                                                                               56                                    13 A1 (45)                                                                             B1 (10)                                                                             C4 (30)   D1 (15)                                                                             --   --   138                                                                               52                                    14 A1 (45)                                                                             B1 (10)                                                                             C4 (40)   D1 (5)                                                                              --   --   151                                                                               48                                    15 A1 (40)                                                                             B1 (9)                                                                              C1 (29)   D1 (3)                                                                              E1 (9)                                                                              F1 (10)                                                                             118                                                                               54                                    16 A1 (35)                                                                             B1 (5)                                                                              C1 (35)   D1 (5)                                                                              E1 (10)                                                                             F1 (10)                                                                              92                                                                               61                                    17 A1 (30)                                                                             B1 (14)                                                                             C4 (39)   D1 (3)                                                                              E1 (9)                                                                              F1 (5)                                                                              120                                                                               63                                    18 A1 (43)                                                                             B1 (2)                                                                              C4 (40) + C6 (10)                                                                        D1 (5)                                                                              --   --   142                                                                               52                                    __________________________________________________________________________      *Units as in Comparison Examples 1-3                                      

What is claimed is:
 1. A polymer that is a copolymerization product of a monomer mixture comprising the following monomers:a) about 20-60% of a siloxane monovinyl component of formula I ##STR13## wherein Q¹ is a radical of the partial formula ##STR14## Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having from 3 to 5 carbon atoms, R¹ and R² are each independently of the other lower alkylene, cycloalkylene, arylene or a combination of lower alkylene with cycloalkylene or lower alkylene with arylene, R³ is lower alkylene or cycloalkylene, A and A¹ are each independently of the other X¹ --CO--X², X² in each case being bonded to R², and X² is --NH-- or a bond and X¹ is --O--, or --NR-- wherein R is lower alkyl, wherein the radicals Z¹ are each independently of the other OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein the radicals R⁴ are each independently of the others lower alkyl, phenyl or OSi(lower alkyl)₃, Z² is lower alkyl, phenyl or Z¹, and n is 0 or 1, b) about 1-25% of a siloxane oligovinyl component of formula II ##STR15## wherein Q² has the same meaning as Q¹ or is Ac--O, wherein Q¹, Ac and Z² are as defined above, Z³ is Z² or has the same meaning as Q² and m is 0 to 4, c) about 10-55% of a fluorine-containing vinyl component of formula IIIa

    Ac--O--R.sup.5 --R.sup.6

wherein Ac is as defined above, R⁵ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene or cycloalkylene, R⁶ is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms or wherein R⁵ -R⁶ together are hexafluoroisopropyl or nonafluoro-tert-butyl, or of formula IIIb

    Ac--O--R.sup.5 --R.sup.7 --R.sup.5 --O--Ac

wherein Ac and R⁵ are as defined above and R⁷ is fluorinated C₁ -C₁₀ alkylene, or of formula IIIc

    Ac--O--R.sup.8 --C(CF.sub.3).sub.2 --R.sup.8 --O--Ac

wherein Ac is as defined above and R⁸ is phenylene that is unsubstituted or substituted by lower alkyl, fluorine or by fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms, or of formula IIId

    R.sup.9 --(CH.sub.2).sub.p --CH(OAc)--CH.sub.2 --OAc

wherein Ac is as defined above, R⁹ is perfluorinated C₁ -C₁₀ alkyl and p is 0, 1 or 2, or of formula IIIe ##STR16## wherein R¹⁰ is C₂ -C₆ alkenyl having the double bond in conjugation to the phenyl ring, the radicals R¹¹ are each independently of the others hydrogen or fluorine, R¹² is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms and R¹³ is hydrogen or fluorine or has the same meaning as R¹², and d) about 3-30% of a hydrophobic vinyl component having a bulky hydrocarbon radical of formula IVa

    Ac--O--R.sup.14

wherein Ac is as defined above and R¹⁴ is lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or oligo-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or oligo-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, or C₅ -C₁₀ alkyl that contains at least one tert-butyl group and is unsubstituted or substituted by cycloalkyl, or of formula IVb ##STR17## wherein R¹⁵ is C₂ -C₆ alkenyl having the double bond in conjugation to the phenyl ring and R¹⁶ is hydrogen or has the same meaning as R¹⁴, but at least one radical R¹⁶ is other than hydrogen, e) about 0-10% of a hydrophilic vinyl component and f) about 0-15% of an additional cross-linking vinyl component.
 2. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein component a) is selected from compounds of formula I wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having three or four carbon atoms, R¹ is lower alkylene, n is 0, Z² has the same meaning as Z¹ and the radicals Z¹ are each independently of the other OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein the radicals R⁴ are each independently of the others lower alkyl or OSi(lower alkyl)₃.
 3. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein component b) is selected from compounds of formula II wherein Q² is Q¹, wherein n is 0, and wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, R¹ is lower alkylene, m is 0 and the radicals Z² are each independently of the others lower alkyl or OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein R⁴ is lower alkyl.
 4. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein component c) is selected from compounds of formula IIIa, b, c, d or e wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 or 4 carbon atoms, R⁵ is C₁ -C₃ alkylene and R⁶ is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms, or R⁵ -R⁶ together are hexafluoroisopropyl or nonafluoro-tert-butyl, R⁷ is fluorinated lower alkylene, R⁸ is phenylene, p is 1, R⁹ is perfluorinated C₄ -C₈ alkyl, R¹⁰ is C₂ -C₃ alkenyl, R¹¹ and R¹³ are hydrogen, and R¹² is fluorinated lower alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms.
 5. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein component d) is selected from compounds of formula IVa wherein Ac is the acyl radical of a vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acid having 3 or 4 carbon atoms and R¹⁴ is lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or tri-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted bicycloalkyl-lower alkyl or tricycloalkyl-lower alkyl, or tert-butyl-substituted C₁ -C₄ alkyl, or from compounds of formula IVb wherein R¹⁵ is C₂ -C₃ alkenyl and R¹⁶ is hydrogen or lower alkyl-substituted cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted di- or tri-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or lower alkyl-substituted bicycloalkyl-lower alkyl or tri-cycloalkyl-lower alkyl, or tert-butyl-substituted C₁ -C₄ alkyl, but at least one radical R¹⁶ is other than hydrogen.
 6. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein component e) is selected from hydroxy-substituted C₂ -C₄ alkyl(meth)acrylates, five- to seven-membered N-vinyllactams, N,N-di-C₁ -C₄ alkyl(meth)acrylamides and vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acids having a total of from 3 to 5 carbon atoms.
 7. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein component f) is selected from macromers of formula Va ##STR18## wherein R²¹ is a polysiloxane chain having a molecular weight of about 400 to about 8000 and has the formula ##STR19## R²² is hydrogen or methyl, R²³ is hydrogen or --COOR²⁴,R²⁴ is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms, with the proviso that at least one of the radicals R²² and R²³ is hydrogen, W is --O--, --COO-- or --CONR²⁵ --, R²⁵ is hydrogen or alkyl having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, R²⁶ is branched or linear alkylene having from 1 to 7 carbon atoms or is (CH₂ CH₂ O)_(q) CH₂ CH₂ wherein q is a number from 1 to 20, k is an integer from 3 to 120, Y is a direct bond or the divalent radical --R²⁷ --X³ --CONH--R²⁸ --NHCO--X⁴ --, R²⁷ is linear or branched alkylene having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms that is bonded to W and is unsubstituted or substituted by di-lower alkylamino or by hydroxy, R²⁸ is a divalent radical that is obtained by removal of the NCO groups from an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or aromatic diisocyanate, X³ is --O or --NR²⁵ --, X⁴ has the same meaning as X³ or is --S-- and is bonded to R²⁶, with the proviso that when W is --O--, Y is other than a direct bond, and R²³ are hydrogen, and from macromers of formula Vb ##STR20## wherein R²⁸ and R²⁹ are each independently of the other hydrogen or methyl, V is the divalent radical --R³⁰ --R³¹ --NHCO--X⁴ -- which is bonded to R²¹ via X⁴ and wherein R³⁰ is phenylene or lower alkyl-substituted phenylene, R³¹ is a bond or lower alkylene, and wherein R²¹ and X⁴ are as defined above.
 8. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein the monomer mixture comprises components a) to f) in the following amounts:a) 40-45% b) 5-10% c) 29-40% d) 3-15% e) if present, 5-10% f) if present, 5-10%.
 9. A polymer according to claim 1, wherein the monomer mixture comprises components a) to f) in the following amounts:a) 35-40% b) 5-10% c) 29-35% d) 3-10% e) 8-10% f) 8-10%.
 10. A polymer according to claim 8 or 9, wherein components a) to f) are selected from compounds of formula I wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R¹ is C₂ -C₄ alkylene, n is 0, Z² has the same meaning as Z¹ and Z¹ is OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein R⁴ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl or OSi(C₁ -C₄ alkyl)₃,compounds of formula II wherein Q² is Q¹, wherein n is 0, and wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R¹ is C₁ -C₄ alkylene and Z² is C₁ -C₄ alkyl or OSi(R⁴)₃ wherein R⁴ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl, compounds of formula IIIa wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R⁵ is C₁ -C₂ alkylene and R⁶ is fluorinated C₁ -C₄ alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms, or R⁵ -R⁶ together are hexafluoroisopropyl, compounds of formula IIIb wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, R⁵ is C₁ -C₂ alkylene and R⁷ is fluorinated C₁ -C₄ alkylene, compounds of formula IIIc wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl and R⁸ is phenylene, compounds of formula IIId wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl, p is 1 and R⁹ is perfluorinated C₅ -C₇ alkyl, and compounds of formula IIIe wherein R¹⁰ is vinyl or 1-methylvinyl, R¹¹ and R¹³ are hydrogen and R¹² is fluorinated C₁ -C₄ alkyl having at least 3 fluorine atoms, compounds of formula IVa wherein Ac is acryloyl or methacryloyl and R¹⁴ is C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted cyclohexyl, unsubstituted or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted C₇ -C₁₂ bi- or C₇ -C₁₂ tri-cycloalkyl, unsubstituted or C₁ -C₄ alkyl-substituted C₇ -C₁₂ bi- or C₇ -C₁₂ tri-cycloalkyl-C₁ -C₄ alkyl, or tert-butyl-substituted C₁ -C₄ alkyl, hydroxy-substituted C₂ -C₄ alkyl(meth)acrylates, five- to seven-membered N-vinyllactams, N,N-di-C₁ -C₄ alkyl(meth)acrylamides and vinylically unsaturated carboxylic acids having a total of from 3 to 5 carbon atoms and compounds of formula Va derived from a polysiloxanediol having a molecular weight of from about 400 to about 8000 that has first been terminated by isophorone diisocyanate or tolylene-2,4-diisocyanate and has then been reacted with a hydroxy compound selected from the hydroxyalkyl esters, in which alkyl has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms, of acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, maleic acid and fumaric acid, and the hydroxyalkyl vinyl ethers in which alkyl has from 2 to 4 carbon atoms. 